Issue 49 Newsletter Spring 2019

Editorial TITLE TITLE

In this issue

P.3 Editorial

P.7 European Elections - Insights

P.9 Key European Elections’ 2019 European dates P.10 EU Parties Manifesto elections: Towards Analysis a more sustainable P.13 Think 2030 Publications and videos relevant to the Europe? EU elections P.14 2019 European Policy Calendar

P.17 2017-2018 IEEP Annual Report

P.18 IEEP Books and Publications

#ThisTimeImVoting P.19 Events and Conferences Editorial

e are just a few days away from the To inform debates before the elections, IEEP and European elections, which are to be its partners convened the Think 2030 platform last held on the 23rd-26th of May 2019 in October bringing together 100 policy experts to W discuss pathways towards a more sustainable Europe, a polarized political context marked by the rise of and unprecedented public producing 30 key recommendations. According concern for climate issues. to Votewatch Europe, as much as 55 to 60% of the incoming MEPs will be newly elected, so we very The stakes are high: the latest IPCC report concludes much hope that these evidenced-based, non-partisan that we have 12 years to turn things around and reach recommendations will provide a high-quality source the Paris Agreement objectives. As the European of information to the new parliamentarians. Commission did not yet provide a blueprint for the To bring messages to the Member State level and help post-2020 agenda, the new could inform the democratic debate, IEEP worked together play a key role in filling the void. In a context when with IDDRI (), TMG () and IVL, Mistra the is divided over the ambition of and SEI (in ). Europe’s future climate and environmental policies, the European Parliament will also bear particular On April 2nd, TMG, one of the German Think 2030 responsibility in scrutinizing the Member States’ partners, presented the Think 2030 outcomes at a implementation of EU environmental law and in Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) event in Berlin. responding to the European citizens’ growing concern on climate change.

Think 2030 conference, ,

© Clementine Richer/IEEP

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 2 3 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 On May 2nd, IEEP, IVL, Mistra In Paris on May 4th, IDDRI, Candidates also explored what the Paris, France and SEI co-organised an event in Sciences-Po and IEEP welcomed future Parliament would look like Stockholm with MEP candidates over 200 people in a highly and whether it would be able to from different parties. While interactive conference. Six parties support an accelerated transition climate change was seen as the were represented on the panel. towards sustainability. top priority by the candidates, The urgency to take the necessary ecodesign, consumption-based actions to face climate change, the emissions and just transition were role of innovation, biodiversity loss, also debated. See here to read CAP, pesticides and many more more about this event. issues were discussed.

Stockholm, Sweden

© IDDRI

Berlin, Germany At the EU level, IEEP organised a session together with the European Environmental Agency, WWF and Energy Cities at Green Week on May 16th to discuss how the next European Parliament could help close the implementation gap, which prevents parts of European environmental acquis to achieve its objectives on the ground. Read more on IEEP’s work on © IDDRI implementationhere .

EU Green Week conference Brussels, Belgium Last but not least, IEEP carried However, most manifestos also have out an analysis of the manifestos major blind spots on biodiversity, of European parties for the sustainable consumption or European parliamentary elections environmental governance, ©Deutscher Naturschutzring to analyse proposals relevant to the showing that the environmental environment and sustainability. community still has a way to go in conveying the complexity and Analysed manifestos indicated interconnected nature of the a significant increase in climate environmental challenges we face ambition with some parties citing today in Europe. either the 1.5 degree Paris target, climate neutrality by 2050 or a more ambitious 55% emissions ©Ylva Rylander / SEI and Mia Pantzar / IEEP © Clementine Richer/IEEP reduction target for 2030.

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 4 5 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 2019 European elections - insights

POLICY PRIORITIES AND PUBLIC PERSPECTIVE European public opinion has fundamentally shifted in issues, feeling of disenfranchisement, lack of interest the last few years. Decades of relative consensus, and lack of knowledge of EU institutions , fear of loss of whereby the European Parliament and national national identity, poor voter mobilisation or simply that governments jointly governed an expanding area the political system is essentially incomprehensible of policy, have been threatened by the increase in to voters. Worrisome voter turnout trends are also polarisation of opinions, interests and values all along apparent across various demographics, notably age the political spectrum. This is a result of ongoing groups, where younger age groups are significantly economic, social and environmental challenges which more likely to abstain from voting. Whether we will are testing the internal cohesion of the European see a shift in this trend remains to be seen, especially Union. The latest Eurobarometer survey indicates that in a context where support to Europe is on average opinion sees immigration, terrorism and economic increasing among voters (see here). This is one of many situation as Europe’s biggest problems. uncertainties in the lead up to this critical election.

VOTER-TURNOUT – A TROUBLESOME TREND The increasing urgency voiced by climate scientists worldwide has led to a spike in demonstrations demanding global leaders to take action on climate change. There is hope this will put to an end the historically low voter turnouts in European Parliamentary election. Every year since the establishment of the European Parliament in 1979, voter turnout has consistently decreased with each passing election with the last election reaching an all- WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? time low of 42.54%. That the EPP and S&D may not reach a majority alone (see seats projection below) is an interesting development as various players now have the power to negotiate as parties all across the political spectrum tussle to form a majority. If the EPP wants to see its Spitzenkandidat at the head of the Commission, negotiations might include red lines from other parties, The debate on the future pathways towards a more Let’s hope that the new MEPs, irrespective of the from ALDE to S&D. sustainable Europe comes at time when the politi- party they come from, will be able to work together cal establishment is under scrutiny from EU citizens. to address the daunting challenge set by scientists of Since the European Parliament’s inception in 1979, a the IPCC. We have less than 5000 days before the win- broad alliance of major parties have held a comfortable dow of opportunity for change closes so let’s not waste majority. However, polls suggest this era could come to any minute! an end. It is expected that for the first time in their his- Happy reading and voting! tory, the EPP and S&D cannot reach a majority alone, opening a new chapter in the history of the European Parliament. The low-voter turnout is a legitimacy crisis. These trends can be explained by a number of reasons including national issues overshadowing European

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 6 7 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 EPP – European People’s Party S&D – Socialists and democrats ALDE – Alliance of Liberals and Democrats PES – Party of European Socialists Greens – European Green Party ECR – European Conservatives and Reformists EFDD – Europe of Freedom and Democracy GUE/NGL – The European United Left/ Key European elections’ dates Nordic Green Left 22nd of May The final day which British MPs could pass a withdrawal deal What is likely is that the PES (whose manifesto seems to put a greater emphasis on environmental issues), the and avoid holding parliament elections Greens and ALDE will press for greater climate ambition than what the EPP currently offers, while parties on European Elections the right side of the spectrum (some of which do support climate action) are unlikely to make climate change 23rd-26th of May their key bargaining chip in terms of a potential alliance with EPP. Elected candidates negotiate to form political groups for the upcoming Parliament’s 9th term. OTHER RELEVANT SOURCES ON EUROPEAN The President of the European Council proposes a candidate to the ELECTIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY European Council with EU leaders deciding by qualified majority. Adelphi: “Convenient truths - Mapping climate agendas of right-wing populist parties in Europe”. 20th-21st of June European Council Summit: “EU budget 2021-2027”, “the agenda 2019- 2024”, and high-level appointments. CAN Europe: “Defenders, Delayers, Dinosaurs - Ranking of EU political groups & national parties on climate change”. 24th of June Political groups notify their composition E3G: “Update EU elections: manifestos, key people and moments”. 1st of July Start of Parliament’s 9th term The Green 10: “2019 European Parliament election manifesto” 2nd of July Inaugural plenary session of the newly-elected Parliament IEEP conducted a country-by-country analysis of Member States systems, opinion polls and the September and October Hearings of Commissioners-designate in Parliamentary committees percentage of MEPs to be re-elected.

October Plenary session – New Commission is elected, new Comission President (unconfirmed day) gives inaugural speech

31st of October Six-month Brexit Negotiations extension expires

1st of November New to take up office

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 8 9 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 European parties’ manifesto analysis

EEP carried out an analysis of Key messages the manifestos of European The manifestos demonstrate that all If, as projected, the EPP has fewer parties for the European I parties are attempting to respond seats, other parties could ask for parliamentary elections in to the increased concern by citizens greater climate and environmental May 2019. After analysing on climate change. However, the ambition to be included within the each party’s programme, an proposals they contain are unlikely programme of the new European overall analysis was made. to get Europe on a safe course to Commission in return for their The objective is to assess achieve climate neutrality by 2050. support to the president nominee. commitments on sustainability Most proposed actions still focus The impact of the potential surge issues by comparing them with: primarily on energy and transport. of right-wing, Eurosceptic parties The other top priority issues that on environmental issues, is unclear emerge from party manifestos are at the moment. • 2014 manifestos, the circular economy, research Compared with evidence to date • Think 2030 recommendations, and innovation for sustainability, from the European Environment environmental health and the need • International commitments of Agency (EEA) and recommendations to link the social and environmental the EU, from Think 2030 experts, the agendas together. main parties’ manifestos have a European Green Party (Greens) European People’s Party (EPP) Alliance of Liberals and Democrats • The 7th Environmental There are clear dividing lines few major blind spots including Party Manifesto Party Manifesto for Europe (ALDE) Action Plan and the European between the main parties on biodiversity (except for the Greens), IEEP Manifesto Analysis IEEP Manifesto Analysis Party Manifesto Environmental Agency the need for greening Europe’s sustainable consumption policies, IEEP Manifesto Analysis environmental indicator report economic growth model, the the bioeconomy, environmental 2018 published in November. usefulness of using the SDGs as a governance and environmental framework, the scale and financing security. This suggests that parties of low-carbon investments, are either underestimating the strategies for emissions reductions importance of these issues or are within transport, the potential unwilling to make them electoral transformation of the Common issues. Agricultural Policy (CAP), Better Regulation 2.0, environmental fiscal reform and trade. While the manifestos of the Party of European Socialists and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe are “greener” than in 2014, the EPP manifesto mostly restates existing policies and commitments. In fact, European Left (EL) Party of European Socialists (PES) the marked difference between Party Manifesto Overall Manifesto Analysis Party Manifesto the EPP’s proposals and that of IEEP Manifesto Analysis IEEP Manifesto Analysis other parties (Greens, PES, ALDE and EL) on several key files could lead to difficult post-election negotiations around the Presidency of the European Commission and its programme.

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 10 11 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 Think 2030 Publications Think 2030 Videos

Vice-President Jyrki Katainen Minister Teresa Ribera MEP José Inácio Faria

30x30 Actions for a Sustainable Europe #Think2030 Action Plan ACCESS HERE MEP Sirpa Piëtikainen MEP Theresa Griffin MEP Ricardo Serrão Santos

30x30 Actions for a Sustainable Europe #Think2030 Action Plan ACCESS HERE Executive summary

Advancing sustainable development goals Sustainable consumption – policy approaches within Europe and globally: the role of the EU for systems change

ACCESS HERE ACCESS HERE

Mobilising EU trade policy for raising Sustainable bio-resource pathways towards a environmental standards: the example of fossil-free world: the European bioeconomy in climate action a global development context

ACCESS HERE ACCESS HERE MEP Linnéa Engström MEP Benedek Jávor Kate Raworth

Valuing biodiversity and reversing its decline Securing and financing clean growth for the by 2030 EU

ACCESS HERE ACCESS HERE

A long-term strategy for a European circular Reinforcing the Environmental Dimensions of economy – setting the course for success the European Foreign and Security Policy

ACCESS HERE ACCESS HERE

Moving towards a circular economy for Think 2050, Act 2020: Bringing European plastics in the EU by 2030 ambition and policies in line with the Paris Agreement ACCESS HERE Céline Charveriat Susanna Gionfra ACCESS HERE Feeding Europe: Agriculture and sustainable food systems Aligning EU resources and expenditure with

ACCESS HERE 2030 objectives

ACCESS HERE Ocean protection: why citizens’ values matter

ACCESS HERE How to ensure a just and fast transition to a competitive low-carbon economy for the EU?

ACCESS HERE

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 12 13 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 2019 European Policy Calendar

June August • 3rd World Circular Economy Forum - 3-5 June - Helsinki • IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land - Day TBD • World Environment Day - 5 June • 50th Session of the IPCC - 2-6 August - Geneva • Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council • G7 Summit - 24-26 August - Biarritz, France (Transport) - 6 June - • World Water Week - 25-30 August - Stockholm • Justice and Home Affairs Council 6-7- June - Luxembourg • World Oceans Day - 8 June • Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs September Council - 13-14 June - Luxembourg • ECOFIN Council - 14 June - Luxembourg • IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a • Global wind day - 15 June Changing Climate - Day TBD • - 17 June - Luxembourg • European Parliament Committee Meetings - 2nd-5th • World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June September • Meeting of the European electricity regulatory forum • International Mountain Conference - 8-12 September May 17 June - 18 June - Florence, Innsbruck • EU Sustainable Energy Week - 17 June - 21 June - Brussels • International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant • Basel Convention COP14, Rotterdam Convention COP9 • - 21 May - Brussels • Bonn Climate Change Conference - 17-27 June - Bonn, 8-13 September - Krakow and Stockholm Convention COP9 - 29 April-9 May, Basel, • European Chemicals Agency Conference -21 May-22 May Germany • European Parliament Committee Meetings- 9 September Rotterdam, Stockholm • World Biodiversity Day - 22 May • AGRIFISH Council - 18 June - Luxembourg • 36th European photovoltaic solar energy conference and • IPBES Plenary Session #7- 29 April-4 May - Paris • European Forum on Urban Forestry - 22 May-25 May • European Council - 20-21 June - Brussels exhibition - 9-13 September -Marseille, France • World Tuna Day - 2 May • Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council - 22-23 May • Adoption of the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024 and high- • International day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer • 1st EU-US Energy Council B2B energy forum - 2 May Brussels level appointments - 20-21 June 16 September Brussels • Energy Infrastructure Forum 2019 - 23-24 May - Copenhagen • Symposium of the International Agricultural Trade Research • European Parliament plenary session - 16-19 September • 22nd European Forum on Eco-innovation: Closing the loop • European Parliament election- 23-26 May Consortium- 23-25 June - Sevilla, Strasbourg, France 7-8 May • Tenth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM 10) - 27 May • General Affairs Council (Cohesion)- 25 June - Luxembourg • 74th Session of the UNGA - 17-30 September - New York, USA • 49th Session of the IPCC - 8-12 May, Kyoto, Vancouver, Canada • Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) • 51st Session of the IPCC - 20-23 September - Monaco • Sibiu Heads of State summit on the future of Europe • 27th EU Biomass Conference and exhibition - 27 May 25 June - Luxembourg • UN Climate Summit - 23 September - NY, USA - 9 May - Sibiu, Lisbon • Environment Council - 26 June - Luxembourg • SDG Summit - 24-25 September - NY, USA • World Migratory Bird Day - 11-12 May • Competitiveness Council - 27-28 May - Brussels • Resilient Cities 2019- 26-28 June - Bonn, Germany • World Maritime Day - 26 September • Foreign Affairs Council- 13 May - Brussels • Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) - 28 May - Brussels • Summit - 28-29 June - Osaka, Japan • EU Green Week - 13-17 May • European Climate Change Adaptation Conference October • AGRIFISH Council - 14 May - Brussels 28-31 May • Foreign Affairs Council (Defence)- 14 May - Brussels • 172nd European Association of Agriculture Economists July • Energy Efficiency Day - 5 October • European cluster conference ‘Connecting ecosystems: seminar - 28-29 May - Brussels • End of Parliament’s 8th term - 1 July • European Parliament plenary session - 9-10 October Bridge. Inspire. Change.’- 14-16 May - Bucharest, Romania • Workshop on strategy to support substitution of chemicals • Inaugural European Parliament Plenary Session for newly- Brussels • Workshop on the problem formulation for the environmental on concern - 29 May - Helsinki elected Parliament - 2-4 July - Brussels • Arctic Circle Assembly- 11-13 October - Reykjavik risk assessment of gene drive modified insects - 15 May • Ninth Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity - 2-5 May • International Day for Disaster Reduction- 13 October Brussels Trondheim • World Environmental Day -14 October • Live TV Debate - Presidential candidates for the European • High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development • World Food Day - 16 October Commission - 15 May - Brussels (ECOSO auspices) - 8-19 July - UNHQ, New York • European Council - 17-18 October - Brussels • Foreign Affairs Council (Development)- 16 May - Brussels • World Population Day- 11 July • European Parliament plenary session - 21-24 October • European Maritime Day Conference- 16-17 May - Lisbon • European Parliament Plenary Session - 15-18 July - Strasbourg Strasbourg, France • ECOFIN Council - 17 May - Brussels • World Cities Day- 31 October • Annual convention for inclusive growth- 20 May - Brussels • 2nd European conference on Xylella fastidiosa • 4th World Congress on Agroforestry - 20-25 May 29-31 October – Ajaccio, France Montpellier, France

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 14 15 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 2019 Annual Report 2017-2018

November IEEP is delighted to release its Annual Report for 2017-18. In this edition, Executive Director, Celine Charveriat, presents the institute’s highlights and strategy and introduces IEEP’s widened scope from environment to sustainability more broadly. • Eight Session of the Governing Body to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 11-16 November - Rome • European Parliament plenary session 13-14 November - Brussels • Global Science, Technology and Innovation Conference 20-22 November - Brussels • World Fisheries Day – 21 November • European Parliament plenary session 25-28 November – Strasbourg, France • European Clean Air Forum 28th-29th November - Bratislava

December

• COP 25 2-13 December - Santiago, Chile • World Soil Day - 5 December • International Mountain Day 11 December • NATO Summit - December (unconfirmed date) -London

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 16 17 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 IEEP Books and Publications IEEP Conferences and Events Upcoming Events

Natural Capital Conference European Commission and EU Sustainable Energy Week: 2019: (How) can marine Committee of the Regions Supporting sustainable bioen- protected areas deliver meeting Biodiversity and ergy and renewable gas use. both conservation and Ecosystem Services: a Brussels, 20th of June 2019 socio-economic benefits? common agenda to 2020 and Successful governance beyond. IEEP will be organising and presenting recent research at a strategies and key factors. Brussels, 23rd-24th of May 2019 Special session at the conference for the Sustainable IEEP will help organise this Energy Week; a European Natural Capital Initiative’s conference that will provide Commission initiative. Presentations 10th anniversary summit CAP 2021-27: proposals for increasing its environmental and climate ambition ACCESS HERE the starting point for the public will outline good practices and “Valuing our Life Support consultation of the final evaluation policy lessons supporting bioenergy Emerging agricultural policy frameworks in the UK ACCESS HERE Systems”Parliament and of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to and renewable biogas across EU Commission. 2020. With the objective to look Member States. London, 22nd of May 2019 back at what has been achieved by the EU, to draw on lessons learned CONTACT Sustainable Development Goals & the EU: Reinforcing Environmental Dimensions of IEEP will lead a special session and reflect on main challenges for uncovering the nexus between external and European Foreign and Security Policy that aims at gathering insights on Silvia Nanni the future. This high-level session internal policies February 19, 2019 whether, and if so how, Marine [email protected] will bring together EU policy-makers December 11, 2018 protected areas (MPAs) can provide ACCESS HERE and stakeholders in order to take Thorfinn Stainforth socio-economic benefits to local ACCESS HERE stock of achievements in the field of [email protected] stakeholders, while protecting and nature and biodiversity during this enhancing the state of ecosystems Net-zero agriculture in 2050: Commission. how to get there? and habitats. Stakeholders with CAP 2021-27: Using the eco-scheme to experience on the ground will February 28, 2019 CONTACT maximise environmental and climate recount success stories in the IUCN Regional Conservation benefits ACCESS HERE UK and abroad, reflecting on Hans Van Gossum Forum for Europe, North and January 30, 2019 key elements that can explain [email protected] Central Asia 2019 Rotterdam, 1st-3rd of July 2019 ACCESS BOOK the positive results achieved by Drivers of conservation success in the EU individual MPAs or MPA networks. April 3, 2019 IEEP will be attending the IUCN Regional Conservation Forum CONTACT IEEP report on risks and opportunities of ACCESS HERE This event is a key opportunity Brexit outcomes: “no deal” outcome poses Daniela Russi for attendees to explore synergies the worst threats [email protected] amongst a range of stakeholders February 18, 2019 and partners as the IUCN Mia Pantzar Constituency prepare for the next ACCESS PUBLICATION [email protected] IUCN Congress and to ensure that regional matters are adequately taken into account.

CONTACT

Hans Van Gossum [email protected]

IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 18 19 IEEP Spring Newsletter 2019 Editors: Remi Highton and Clementine Richer

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